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Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders Salary in Chicago, IL

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders in Chicago, IL have a median annual salary of $58,670, with 140 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $45,070 at the 10th percentile to $77,780 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$58,670

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$28.21

Employment

140

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$45,070
10th
$50,150
25th
$58,670
Median
$65,710
75th
$77,780
90th

Local compared with national

Chicago, IL

$58,670

Median annual · 2025

United States

$48,040

Median annual · 2025

The Chicago, IL median is 22.1% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $10,630).

Top skills

  1. 1.Operations MonitoringImportance 3.9
  2. 2.Reading ComprehensionImportance 3.1
  3. 3.Active ListeningImportance 3.1
  4. 4.SpeakingImportance 3.1
  5. 5.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.1
  6. 6.MonitoringImportance 3.1
  7. 7.Operation and ControlImportance 3.1
  8. 8.Quality Control AnalysisImportance 3.0
  9. 9.WritingImportance 2.6
  10. 10.CoordinationImportance 2.5
  11. 11.Active LearningImportance 2.4
  12. 12.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 2.4

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
None
Job zone
2

Technology used

  • Inventory tracking software
  • Machine operation software
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word

Common tasks

  • Monitor equipment operation, gauges, and panel lights to detect deviations from standards.
  • Confer with supervisors or other equipment operators to report equipment malfunctions or to resolve production problems.
  • Press and adjust controls to activate, set, and regulate equipment according to specifications.
  • Record gauge readings, test results, and shift production in log books.
  • Read and interpret work orders and instructions to determine work assignments, process specifications, and production schedules.
  • Examine or test samples of processed substances, or collect samples for laboratory testing, to ensure conformance to specifications.
  • Transport materials and products to and from work areas, manually or using carts, handtrucks, or hoists.
  • Stop equipment and clear blockages or jams, using fingers, wire, or hand tools.
  • Load equipment receptacles or conveyors with material to be processed, by hand or using hoists.
  • Remove products from equipment, manually or using hoists, and prepare them for storage, shipment, or additional processing.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders salary in other locations

Other occupations in Chicago, IL